All Copper non-machine manufactured/stamped with Riveted Handle, Inside Tinned, 1/2 or Half Pint Measure. Arsenal Marks and Government Stamps Almost Completely Worn From Age and Polishing. However Faint Remnants of a Stamped Numeral "2" Remain Near the Top Edge of Cup and What May Be the Remnants of a small Broad Arrow Government Stamp and to the right Either the Letter "C" or Numeral "0" Both Located Just Below the Numeral 2.
The authenticity shows in the British Government Approved construction and Royal Navy specifications of this 1/2 Pint Rum or Grog Measure is seen by the folded over copper handle "squarishly" dovetailed at the inside seam, three rivets securing the handle to the body of the cup, two top and one bottom. To the best of our knowledge no reproductions of British Royal Navy Rum Cups or Grog Measures were produced using these mid-19th to mid-20th century specifications,
and only used machine made cups with round solid handles only secured to the cup body with solder
There are seven (possibly eight) measures in a set: from 1 Gallon, 1/2 Gallon, 1 Quart, 1 Pint, 1/2 Pint, 1.5 Gill, 1 Gill and Half Gill. A Rum Bosun from each mess would come to collect the grog ration for his mess - each man entitled to 1 and 1/2 gills of grog. A pint measure holds 8 x 1/2 gills, and obviously a 1/2 gill measure is a half gill
If the Rum Bosun's mess contained 6 individuals that were entitled to 'draw the tot', then that is 6 x 1 and 1/2 gills of grog, equalling 9 half gills of grog. The Rum Bosun would then receive a 1 pint measure and 1/2 gill measure which would be dipped into the 'grog tub' and then poured into his "rum fanny" to be brought back and served to his mess mates.
Photo to the left and above show the faint numeral "2" and the numeral "0" or letter "C" just below it on the front of the cup.
Also of note is that there are no bottom marks, arsenal or manufacturer. We have been told by an expert in the field that bottom marks and manufacturing stamps sometimes can be found on post-Victoria rum or grog measures (Edwardian or George V reigns).
Click Here For Historical Analysis and Photo Documenation of 19th 20th Century British Royal Navy Rum and Grog Measures
| Partially Stamped with the numeral 2 just below the rim, possible remnants of the Royal Navy Broad Arrow proofing it for government property and service. It is possible that the numeral 2 was the bottom part of 1/2 for half pint, or the bottom half of the now missing crown cipher indicating that it was made at location 2. Tinned on the inside, handle has been dented over time but rivets are in perfect condtion. |
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Because of heritage and lineage the US Navy imitated and mirror imaged much of both equipment and traditions as found in the British Royal Navy. As such the American Navy also had "Measures" in blue speckled graniteware but only five, from the largest 1 Gallon to 1 gill unit measure. The US Navy equivalent "Measures" can be found by By Clicking Here - US Navy Measures.
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